Leeds United 1 Harrogate Town 0. Leeds huffed and puffed their way through this FA Cup Third Round doing just enough to win, with one eye on the Championship. Harrogate Town were well organised with all their players in defence. They looked to score with long crosses and throw-ins causing mayhem in the Leeds penalty area. But Solomon managed to get at least one cross to count to get Leeds over the line.
Leeds looked like they had one eye on the Championship, never stepping up beyond the occasional counter attack, never using their wide players enough to stretch the Harrogate defensive wall. Harrogate Town had at least one strong penalty shout whilst Leeds hit the cross bar twice.
It was raw freezing evening. This match was on BBC with Stephen Warnock – who previously played for Leeds – in the commentary box busy criticising Leeds through the match. It was like a derby with a full and loud Leeds support. Harrogate had nearly twice as many fans at Elland Road than their own home games.
Leeds had beaten Harrogate 3-0 in the summer 2024, albeit with Summerville and Rutter. Harrogate Town as languishing near the relegation zone of League Two so Leeds’ B Team should have found this a training ground exercise. Having said that Leeds have a poor recent record in cup matches. In the end it was too close to be comfortable.
With six changed players starting the team had a different look to it but a distinctly familiar feel to the play – patient build up, dominating possession, discipline in defence, Solomon and Gnonto using their pace on the wings, looking for gaps in the defence. All the talk has been of Meslier’s mistakes that have cost Leeds four points so far this season. This was an opportunity for Darlow to compete for first team place but he frankly he had little to do.
Harrogate played a predictable 5 at the back increasing to 10 when Leeds penned them in. But Leeds tended to go through the middle instead of the wings. That said, when Solomon was on the ball he did get the crosses in. Gnonto tried to go through the middle and was nullified.
It was a frustrating first half as a well organised Harrogate defence crowded Leeds out who, were not creative enough to find Joseph in the box. Joseph was not sharp enough in front of goal. Harrogate’s best chance came in early in second half with March testing Darlow after dispossessing Ampadu.
Leeds didn’t test keeper Belshaw enough. Joseph hit the bar in the first half and then Solomon in the second half. Finally, Ramazani who had been sending in searching shots all evening, finally got the cross to from Solomon with a free header into the net. Leeds then lost the advantage with Harrogate were pushing back on Leeds. Leeds finally got to full-time albeit not convincingly
Guilavogui given a rare start was often outrun and nearly cost Leeds a penalty.
Man of the match: Solomon who was most impressive on the wing to get behind their defence.
